Early exit for Maria Sharapova as she makes 52 unforced errors

Maria Sharapova made an incredible 52 unforced errors as she suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Monica Niculescu at the Qatar Open.
The five-times Grand Slam winner won the opening set, but then crashed to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, defeat in two hours 38 minutes against the Romanian qualifier.
Niculescu, ranked No 91 in the world, put her sliced forehand to good use and she kept her unforced error count to just 17 while she also fired 12 winners.
“I love it how I play and I like to be unique and I think my slice forehand is a weapon,” the 30-year-old said.
“And when I feel good on the court then I play relaxed, I can be good and can be dangerous.”
Sharapova, by her lofty standards, had a shocker as she produced 52 unforced errors and 11 double faults.
“I did a good job of winning the longer rallies, even though that’s not really what I wanted to get myself into,” the Russian said.
“So, physically I felt good. I just got pretty passive in the end and starting making too many errors.”
Niculescu will play either Magdalena Rybarikova or wildcard Fatma Al-Nabhani in the next round.
Former Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova, seventh seed Caroline Garcia as well as Russians Ekaterina Makarova and Anna Blinkova also advanced.
Latest
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz proofs French Open title credentials with dominant first-round victory
Carlos Alcaraz powers into the second round at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Alexander Zverev keeps French Open match short and sweet, but hopes to go from stable to winning titles
“I’m always somebody that likes to win, rather than be stable,” says Zverev.
-
Wimbledon
Cameron Norrie says Wimbledon will be ‘like an exhibition’ as he warns a few top players might not play
British No 1 has his say on consequences following decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon news: Former US Open champion says decision to strip major of ranking points ‘the correct one’
Sloane Stephens shares views on controversial move.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz news: Top players to suffer if they’re to beat Spaniard at Roland Garros
He’s been unstoppable this season.
-
French Open
Red-hot Ons Jabeur stunned in opener at Roland Garros by world No 52 Magda Linette
Ons Jabeur stunned in Roland Garros opener.
-
French Open
Birthday boy Novak Djokovic looking to reset in the summer of ’22
Novak Djokovic is 35 today. This summer might just see him return to the top of his game after losing himself at the turn of the year.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal plays down Roland Garros favourite tag as ‘there are players that are in better shape’
Rafael Nadal cautiously optimistic ahead of Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Emma Raducanu news: John McEnroe doubtful Brit can go far in French Open
She has had a lot of injuries so far this season.
-
Wimbledon
Sergiy Stakhovsky news: Ukrainian rips into ATP’s Wimbledon decision
He’s really not happy about the decision.